As Shelby County Schools postpone sports, the Memphis Nighthawks soar

Josh Wright talks to Memphis Nighthawks offensive and defensive line coach Michael Wilkerson during the team's practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Though traditionally a football team for homeschool students, the cancelling of fall sports for Shelby County Schools has led some student athletes to disenroll from school so they could join the team this season.

Cameron Blaylock practices with the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Blaylock, previously enrolled at Whitestation, has disenrolled from school in order to play football while Shelby County has postponed fall sports.

TJ Tate warms up with his new teammates as the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Tate, formerly of Germantown High School, disenrolled to join the team after Shelby County Schools postponed fall athletics.

TJ Tate scrambles out of the pocket as he plays with new teammates on the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, during practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Tate, formerly of Germantown High School, disenrolled to join the team after Shelby County Schools postponed fall athletics.

Coach Michael Wilkerson stretches out Cameron Blaylock as the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

TJ Tate warms up with his new teammates as the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Tate, formerly of Germantown High School, disenrolled to join the team after Shelby County Schools postponed fall athletics.

The Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, huddle up during practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

Cameron Blaylock, center, and Alexander Whitmore practice with the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. The two students, previously enrolled at White Station and Whitehaven respectively, have disenrolled from school in order to play football while Shelby County has postponed fall sports.

Alexander Whitmore practices with the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Whitmore, previously enrolled at Whitehaven, has disenrolled from school in order to play football while Shelby County has postponed fall sports.

Junious "Ju-Ju" Johnson lines up for a pass as the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students huddles up during practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

Coach Michael Walker works with his players on the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, as they practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

TJ Tate scrambles out of the pocket as he plays with new teammates on the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, during practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. Tate, formerly of Germantown High School, disenrolled to join the team after Shelby County Schools postponed fall athletics.

Coach Jason Winkle talks to his players on the Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, as they practice outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.

The Memphis Nighthawks, a football team for homeschool students, practices outside Briarwood Church on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.